Effects of Leaf and Bark Extract of Prosopis juliflora on Emergence Characteristics of Two Rangeland Species of Pennisetum divisum and Taverniera spartea

This study aimed to compare the effects of roots and leaves of Prosopis juliflora (SW) DC at different concentrations on emergence, vigor, radicle, and plumule length of two species of Taverniera spartea (Burm. F.) DC. and Pennisetum divisum (Forssk. Ex JF Gmel.) Henrard in Hormozgan province, Iran. After grounding the leaves and bark of Prosopis juliflora and mixing it with the soil of Prosopis juliflora habitat (0, 20, 40, 60, and 80 g of each organ per kg of soil), 15 seeds of Pennisetum divisum and Taverniera spartea species with four replications were cultivated in the soil, and the desired variables were recorded and analyzed using GLM statistical analysis. The results showed that vigor, radicle, and plumule length of Taverniera spartea species in soil associated with bark was 10.77, 3.47, and 3.63 cm, and in Pennisetum divisum species were 5.7, 4.36, and 4.15 cm that was higher than in the leaves. Also, seed vigor, plumule length in Taverniera spartea species, and seed vigor, radicle, and plumule length in Pennisetum divisum species had the lowest values in 8% treatment. The interaction effects of concentration×organ also showed that the leaf extraction had significant decreasing effects on seed vigor, plumule length in both species, and radicle length in Pennisetum divisum species. Also, the emergence percentage in Pennisetum divisum species (18.33%) was the highest in the control treatment. The results showed that Prosopis juliflora has inhibitory effects on rangeland species, so the selection of this species for afforestation in desert areas should be done more sensitively and the use of native species (Ziziphus spina christi, Prosopis cineraria, and Acacia oerfota) should be prioritized.